Online Trading Manager in Manchester

Online Trading Manager in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time No working from home possible
Forward Role Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own trading and conversion for two online eyewear stores, driving sales and optimising customer journeys.
  • Company: Premium eyewear retailer experiencing significant growth with a dynamic digital team.
  • Benefits: Real ownership of projects, direct access to leadership, and opportunities for team growth.
  • Other info: Join a fast-paced team with clear paths for career advancement as the business expands internationally.
  • Why this job: Tackle exciting CRO challenges and make a real impact in a thriving eCommerce environment.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in B2C eCommerce, strong CRO experience, and confident with analytics tools.

Our client is a premium eyewear retailer running two well-established online stores and are now in a period of significant growth. You’ll own trading, conversion and margin across both websites, working directly with the Commercial Director and the wider digital team. There are no direct reports yet but there's a clear path to build and lead a team as the business expands internationally.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Own Trading & Campaigns
    • Own the key trading KPIs across both sites: sales, margin, conversion rate, AOV, items per basket
    • Build and deliver the seasonal trading plan with the Commercial Director
    • Monitor site performance daily, spotting trends and acting on them
    • Manage stock availability with buying/product so activity lands in the right areas
    • Support landing page optimisation and campaign briefing so traffic converts once it lands
  • Lead CRO & the Prescription Journey
    • Own the CRO and customer journey testing roadmap across both sites
    • Run a structured testing programme on the prescription journey specifically: upload, verification, checkout friction
    • Define and report on prescription journey metrics (drop‑off points, upload completion, verification friction) alongside standard CRO metrics
    • Partner with UX/CRO agencies, designers and developers to prioritise and ship tests
    • Own on‑site merchandising: sorting rules, search and navigation
  • Report, Forecast & Partner
    • Forecast weekly and monthly sales using historic data and the trading plan
    • Report trading and conversion performance to the Commercial Director, flagging risks early
    • Work cross-functionally with Buying and Commercial Marketing on Joint Business Plans with key brand partners
    • Support commercial relationships across an industry‑leading portfolio of optical and eyewear brands
  • Grow CRM & the Team
    • Contribute to the CRM roadmap, focused on customer lifetime value
    • Plan and brief email campaigns aligned to the trading calendar
    • Deputise for the Commercial Director as required
    • Help shape and grow the trading function as international expansion brings investment

What We’re Looking For

  • Must‑Have:
    • 3+ years' experience in a B2C eCommerce or online trading role
    • Strong, demonstrable experience of CRO and customer journey testing, ideally on complex, multi‑step journeys
    • Confident using eCommerce platforms (e.g. Shopify, Magento or similar), analytics and testing tools
    • Comfortable working at pace in a small team with direct access to senior leadership
    • Strong commercial acumen, analytical mindset and confidence managing multiple stakeholders
  • You’ll Stand Out If You:
    • Have experience in fashion, eyewear, luxury or another brand‑led retail environment
    • Have international eCommerce experience
    • Hold a marketing or commercial degree

What You’ll Get

  • Real ownership of trading and conversion across two websites and an industry-leading brand portfolio
  • A genuinely meaty CRO challenge – the prescription journey is a rare, high-value optimisation problem
  • Direct access to the Commercial Director – your input shapes decisions
  • A clear route to build and lead a team as the function grows, backed by planned international expansion

Online Trading Manager in Manchester employer: Forward Role Recruitment

At Forward Role Recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture in the heart of Greater London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities for advancement, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while contributing to our ambitious digital strategy. Join us to be part of a fast-paced environment where your expertise will directly impact our success and drive meaningful change.

Forward Role Recruitment

Contact Details:

Forward Role Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Online Trading Manager in Manchester

Get to Know Your E-commerce Community

Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Forward Role Recruitment are looking for when hiring for a Online Trading Manager.

Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio

In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Forward Role Recruitment for the Online Trading Manager, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.

Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Forward Role Recruitment as a Online Trading Manager, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!

Utilise Company Resources

Don’t forget to check out Forward Role Recruitment’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Online Trading Manager.

We think you need these skills to ace Online Trading Manager in Manchester

Trading KPIs Management
Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)
Customer Journey Testing
eCommerce Platforms (e.g. Shopify, Magento)
Data Analysis
Stock Management
On-site Merchandising

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Forward Role Recruitment, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Forward Role Recruitment's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.

Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.

Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Forward Role Recruitment. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Role Recruitment

Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How

In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Forward Role Recruitment uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.

Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results

For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.

Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics

Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!

Engage in a Conversational Style

Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Forward Role Recruitment. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!